Summary

This testimony is based on GAO's review of schedules and financial reports for the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) project and related records maintained by AOC and its construction management contractor, Gilbane Building Company; GAO's observations on the progress of work at the CVC construction site; and GAO's discussions with the CVC team (Architect of the Capitol (AOC) and its major CVC contractors) and AOC's Chief Fire Marshal. GAO also reviewed AOC's construction management contractor's periodic schedule assessments, proposed change order log, and weekly reports on construction progress. In addition, GAO reviewed the contract modifications made to date.

Since the March 12, 2008, CVC hearing, the project's construction and fire alarm acceptance testing have moved forward, and despite continued delays in certain CVC and expansion space work, AOC still believes that the project will be ready to open in November 2008. According to AOC's construction management contractor, in dollar terms, the overall CVC project remains 99 percent complete. However, risks to the project's schedule remain in several time-critical activities, including the fire alarm acceptance testing. Many punch list items also remain to be completed, and a steady number of proposed change orders have to be resolved. At this time, however, AOC does not expect the punch list items or the proposed change orders to affect the project's completion date.